Record high migrant Channel crossings for first four months of the year
There has been a 27% hike in the number of arrivals recorded, compared to the same period last year.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel has hit a new record high for the first four months of a calendar year, jumping 27% on 2023.
A total of 7,567 people made the journey from January to April, provisional Home Office figures show.
This is 27% higher than the number of arrivals recorded in the first four months of last year (5,946) and an increase of 13% compared to figures logged for the same period in 2022 (6,691).
Since the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act became law after receiving Royal Assent on Thursday, 900 migrants have made the journey in 18 boats.
This includes 268 people who arrived in the UK in five boats on Tuesday.
Crossings continued on Wednesday.
Some 2,132 people made the journey in 42 boats in April, suggesting an average of 51 people per boat last month.
This is higher than the average for March – 48 people per boat – but lower than the peak of 56 people per boat in September 2023.
The figures come as the National Crime Agency (NCA) said a fourth man had been arrested on suspicion of immigration offences after five migrants died last week while trying to cross the Channel.